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Epididymal Structure and Function

  • Chapter
The Epididymis, Sperm Maturation and Fertilisation

Abstract

The involvement of the epididymis in the process of sperm maturation appears to be concerned with enabling gamete contact to occur (see Parts I,II) and the more terminal events of fertilisation may not require epididymal input (Glover and Nicander, 1971). The organ has evolved along with sperm maturation (Glover and Nicander, 1971) and the need for capacitation (Bedford, 1983), although spermatozoa at all stages of their maturation require conditions compatible with their survival.

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Cooper, T.G. (1986). Epididymal Structure and Function. In: The Epididymis, Sperm Maturation and Fertilisation. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71471-9_9

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